QTLC Appoints CEO
The attached PDF is a QTLC media release annnouncing appointment.
Minister launches Integrated Freight Strategy for Qld
Minister Plaszczuk at IFSQ Launch with QTLC Directors Mark Johnston and Peter Garske
MEDIA RELEASE
9 December 2011
Queensland’s first freight strategy released
Queensland’s crucial freight system has taken a historic step forward today with the release of the first Integrated Freight Strategy, mapping the future of the industry which is critical to the state economy.
Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the strategy represented a comprehensive path forward for the state’s freight system.
“If we don’t enhance the movement of freight in Queensland, we don’t keep the economy running at full steam so the release of this first strategy today is a major step forward in supporting economic growth,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“The Integrated Freight Strategy provides clear direction for improving Queensland’s freight system, as well as analysing how we can maximise the output from the existing transport system.
“Queensland’s population is growing rapidly, with 100,000 new residents calling Queensland home every year and the current population forecast to grow by over two million people by 2031.
“In 2009 the estimated freight volume in Queensland was 865 million tonnes a year- by 2031 the expected growth in freight tonnage is estimated to be between 1.8 billion to 2.2 billion tonnes a year
“This extraordinary growth will lead to increasing demand for freight, placing pressure on the transport system and potentially impacting on the competitiveness of Queensland industry – it’s critical that we manage this growth in freight effectively.
“This strategy is about getting on the front foot with this growing freight movement and putting actions in place to deal with it.”
Main Roads and Marine Infrastructure Minister Craig Wallace said the strategy was developed by Transport and Main Roads after extensive consultation including input from the industry.
“The strategy will inform government policy, regulation and investment and influence industry operations and decisions,” Mr Wallace said.
“The strategy also reflects the importance of the relationship and linkages at the national, regional and local level of our total transport system and will inform Queensland’s input to the Commonwealth’s draft National Land Freight Strategy discussion paper, as well as freight-related interaction with local Government.
“The strategy provides a high-level framework to inform the development of more efficient freight solutions for the future. Ultimately, those solutions must be safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable.
“It encourages a more integrated approach to delivering freight solutions in Queensland and outlines clear areas of focus and specific actions.
“Importantly, the strategy will ensure that Queensland is well positioned to meet freight challenges and opportunities now and into the future.
“This strategy will also inform future whole-of-government freight planning, collaboration with industry and other levels of government and will contribute to improved freight outcomes and prosperity for Queensland.”
Mark Johnston, Director and Deputy Chair Queensland Trucking and Logistics Council said “This is a very important document, it’s a long time coming and there’s been a lot of effort put into it.”
“It sets the foundation for industry and government to develop and implement strategies for the future.
“It’s a strategy for all of Queensland and it assists in tying all the various interests together.
Peter Garske, CEO of Queensland Trucking Association said “The freight task is a critically important part of the state and the nation’s economy.”
“Therefore, it is important that the Queensland Government support the transport and logistics council in the design, drafting and more importantly in the implementation of a freight strategy.
“We’re well aware of the drivers of our economy – the resource industry is a critical component of that.
“Their freight demand, whether that be importation through ships, whether it be distribution by road or rail, are functions that need a high level of efficiency and productivity.
“The launch of the freight strategy will help deliver all of those things.”
The Integrated Freight Strategy for Queensland is available on the Transport and Main Roads website at
Media contact: Minister Palaszczuk’s office 3898 0813
Edition 4 of QTLC Newsletter
Please download the attached file for the latest news on QTLC activities and related stories.
3rd Edition QTLC Newsletter
The QTLC’s 2nd Newsletter has been released and is attached. It provides updates on current initiatives and outline acitivities being undertaking.
Remote and Indigenous (Food) Supply Chain Study (RISCS)
The cost of basic food items in Remote and Indigenous communities has been the driving motivation behind recent Commonwealth Parliamentary inquiries and Ministerial statements.
On January 7, 2010 the Acting Premier of Queensland The Honourable Paul Lucas MP wrote to the Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships The Honourable Desley Boyle MP, requesting that an Inter-agency working group be established to develop options to alleviate the high cost of food.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) was invited to contribute to the working group in the area of Transport Infrastructure and Supply Chain analysis. The RISCS project team is represented on the Inter-agency working group by QTLC Secretary Mr Ray Merlehan who outlined the process of stakeholder consultation that had been initiated following representations made by DTMR in late 2009 on this issue.
The RISCS report was completed on time and on budget in March 2010 and was presented to the Inter-agency working group Chair to provide guidance on how a supply chain approach would achieve the desired outcomes.
A final report from the Inter-agency working group is expected to go to Cabinet in June 2010, QTLC Chairman Mr Neil Findlay said “It’s very satisfying that we (QTLC) have been able to live up to expectations and provide value to the process, the issue of access to good quality food at resonable prices is central to positive health outcomes for all remote communities”.
April, 2010
Real Time Traffic and Travel Information
A number of recent reports and studies have highlighted the importance of reducing congestion in terms of costs, emissions and amenity. The issue is well articulated in the recent Auditor General’s Report, which – quoting BTRE figures – suggest the congestion costs in Brisbane will exceed those of Melbourne and Sydney by 2020.
QTLC member and Port of Brisbane Logistics Manager Mr Andrew Rankine is actively campaigning to highlight these issues and find solutions, ‘If congestion is seen as a problem for all road users, it is a major problem for the freight sector’ he said.
The growing freight task contributes to increased levels of traffic and congestion, especially in areas of concentrated freight activity where non-productive dwell time on arterial roads is a rising cost component for all freight transport customers.
Travel times are expected to increase if a ‘business as usual’ scenario is adopted, if this is compounded by general operating cost increases the competitiveness of exporters and importers in Queensland will be adversely affected.
Whilst improved road infrastructure will help reduce congestion, infrastructure on its own will not solve the problem. The key is to use infrastructure more efficiently.
At a recent meeting convened by the QTLC, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and Queensland Motorways Limited (QML) outlined the options available through the use of an integrated webcam network.
There is already a significant amount of information available regarding the transport network in Queensland; TMR is in the process of finalizing phase 1 of the re-development of the 131940 website which was launched in July 2009.
- Redesign of home page and increased prominence of web camera images
- Map based depiction of incidents, road works, special events, closures and limits
- Currently 52 cameras in South East Queensland
- Increase total to 100 in South East Queensland over the next 12 month’s
- All cameras will be displayed on 131940 website
TMR is investigating the role of transport information in informing travel choices, as part of a congestion management project titled the Information-driven Travel Decisions (ITD) project. The aim for the ITD project is to bring stakeholders together to agree on a common direction for providing travel information in the future.
The QTLC, TMR and QML have agreed to work cooperatively to promote the benefits of this new technology to freight transport users, the second phase will involve linking QML and Port of Brisbane webcams to this site to allow fleet operators to make informed Pickup and Delivery decisions based on real time traffic information.
December 8, 2009
www.131940.qld.gov.au
Traffic and Travel Information
Web Redevelopment Project